We're Number ONE!

By Rachel Gilbert, USGBC on 1/25/2017

U.S. Green Building Council Announces:

Massachusetts is #1 State in the Nation for LEED Green Building in 2016

Washington, D.C. — (Jan. 25, 2017) — Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its national ranking of the top states in the country for LEED green building and Massachusetts is the first state in the nation for 2016. The annual list highlights states throughout the country that made significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation over the past year.

This year, Massachusetts moved from third to first place with a total of 136 LEED-certified projects representing 3.73 gross square feet of certified space per resident. Massachusetts will host Greenbuild 2017, the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green buildings, in Boston on Nov. 8-10, 2017.

“Massachusetts has been a phenomenal trailblazer in green building and LEED certifications and is leading the way toward a more sustainable future for generations to come,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of USGBC. “The success of LEED could not happen without support from states likes Massachusetts that believe in being environmentally and socially responsible and have committed to transforming the built environment. With each new LEED certification, we are lowering carbon emissions, creating a healthier environment, driving economic growth and prioritizing sustainable practices that will positively impact the way residents, communities and cities live, work and play.”

According to USGBC’s 2015 Green Building Economic Impact Study, LEED construction is projected to support 155,000 total jobs in Massachusetts and have a total impact on GDP of $13.6 billion from 2015-2018.

"Massachusetts has always been a fighter for what's right,” said Grey Lee, executive director, USGBC – Massachusetts Chapter. “High-performing LEED buildings are a clear demonstration of our real estate community's commitment to excellence. Our green building practitioners work hard every day to do what's right in our built environment. Together, we are ensuring net positive outcomes for the communities of our Commonwealth. I invite everyone to go ‘All In’ to celebrate these LEED achievements at Greenbuild Boston in November!”

Now in its seventh year, the ranking assesses the total square feet of LEED-certified space per resident based on U.S. Census data and includes commercial and institutional green building projects certified during 2016. The full ranking is as follows:

A few notable projects that certified in Massachusetts in 2016 include:

Collectively, 1,819 commercial and institutional projects achieved LEED certification within the Top 10 States for LEED in 2016, representing 309.12 gross square feet of real estate. Across the United States, 3,366 projects were certified in 2016, representing 470.39 million square feet.

The LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings. More than 59,000 commercial, neighborhood and residential projects are currently LEED certified, comprising more than 6 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 164 countries and territories globally.

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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.